A brief-yet-ongoing journal of all things Carmi. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll reach for your mouse to click back to Google. But you'll be intrigued. And you'll feel compelled to return following your next bowl of oatmeal. With brown sugar. And milk.

Pages

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Snatched

...to an uncertain futureShanghai, China, May 2007

It's a hot and humid afternoon on Shanghai's broad riverfront promenade. Kajillions of people from all walks of life are enjoying the day. It's just as crowded here as it is a few blocks inland, but the breeze that blows in across the water makes things a little more comfortable for all who visit.

Our little group meanders around the waterside railing, taking pictures and discussing where we'd like to go next. Suddenly, a commotion erupts nearby. People running in different directions. Lots of yelling. Eyes and necks strain as everyone tries to figure out what's going on.

Pretty soon, it becomes apparent that it was an attempted purse snatching, and the alleged perpetrator has been caught. I swing my lens toward the officer leading this man away, the object of his alleged crime still clutched in his hands.

Normally, I'd feel a sense of smugness that the criminal (OK, alleged criminal) had been caught. But this isn't home. Due diligence and a transparent judicial system aren't part of the landscape here. I feel a chill down to the base of my spine as I wonder about the future that now awaits this individual.

Michele sent me back...But my first comment isn't posted..Hmmmm.Well, I'm not sure what that means, Carmi....

Anyway....I don't want to repeat myself...(LOL)....So, I'll just say I would not want to be arrested ever, but certainly not in another country where the laws could be You Are Guilty, Till Proven Innocent. OY!

Well, in the rural areas in the mainland (from my limited experience), it has meant a good beating (whether man or woman), usually by the person who was stolen from. Then, possibly some jail time or a fine. I'm not sure what the laws in ShangHai are. Much of the time it depends on whether or not there is a crackdown on crime. If there is a crackdown, then who knows what will happen. But any other time just enough is done to appease the victim. Saving face is very important. In Taiwan, there is a court system that's pretty fair.